Chin Chin Gutierrez – Manila, Philippines

“By the time I reached my college years… I had to confront the question of the existence of God in our philosophy class. Believe it or not, it actually touched a core in my being. The fact that we could question the existence of God in a very Catholic school. Maybe nobody noticed it, but I approached my professor and asked ‘I know this is for the grade, but is anyone going to take care of my soul while I’m at it? While my mind is trying to convince myself and find proof that God does not exist does not God hear me and is anyone going to be responsible for my soul?’ He smiled and said, ‘Continue, continue. You are entering something very interesting and beautiful. So pursue that even as you try to make the grade.’ For some reason I understood what he meant and that was, I think, the awakening of consciousness for me. The quest has begun. And I spoke to HaShem, to Our Heavenly Father, to The Source of All Life that made me become and exist, and said ‘I would like to be true to you. There is more beyond that we can all comprehend. What we are conditioned to believe is probably a beginning. But truth is the journey that you want us all to take. Just like a father to a daughter, he would love that his daughter knows him personally and truly. Not just know about him, about his science, about his works. And so I said YES, I will take that journey. I will not turn my back on anything, I will just expand myself and let you form and mold me.”

Chin Chin Gutierrez is a famous actress and model in the Philippines…and she is so much more than that. The daughter of a woman who was one vow away from being a nun and of a man who was a botanist. So Chin Chin grew up understanding both the spirit of God and evidence of God’s love. She has emerged as one of the leading voices of environmental sustainability in the Philippines. Chin Chin is one of the most extraordinary individuals I have ever met including on this Portraits In Faith journey. She, herself, took a journey interviewing indigenous peoples of the Philippines over a three year period to understand their ancient wisdom and lovingly collect their lullabies. She recorded 17 of those lullabies on an album and included a 2nd disc of 34 lullabies as originally sung to her by the keepers of those traditions. This interview was recorded at the site of her family’s home which burned down in the prior year. Even that was understood by Chin Chin as an answer to a spiritual offer to have all that is not necessary to the journey be removed. To speak with Chin Chin is to come in contact with someone who has surpassed dogma and ritual and has entered into a unity with all people and the earth. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.

Very inspiring and thoughtful young lady. the last minute is very special indeed. Thanks for finding her and thank you to her for sharing. I looked up her career via Google and see that she has now gone to live in a convent but not necessarily become a nun. Because of your portrait of her this was not a surprise to me. It seemed a natural next step.

Thank you for this profound experience. Your cause is truly noble. I have been an admirer of Chin Chin’s talents. But admired her more because of her spiritual wisdom, and for taking action on her advocacy. She is an inspiration and we are blessed to have her.

Thank you Chin-Chin for taking care the environment. You’re one of a kind, I’m so proud of you being a Christian and a Filipino. I wish someday before the end of my life I could have a chance to work with your ecological foundation ALAGA LAHAT. I don’t need a job but i need to work for the kalikasan(nature)and our environment, I offer my services without any charges. I can do it now but I don’t know where and how to start. You are blessed to everyone Chin. Keep it up..God bless you.